A novel interaction between aquaporin 1 and caspase-3 in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells.
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol
; 326(5): L638-L645, 2024 May 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38375595
ABSTRACT
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition in which remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature leads to hypertrophy of the muscular vascular wall and extension of muscle into nonmuscular arteries. These pathological changes are predominantly due to the abnormal proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), enhanced cellular functions that have been linked to increases in the cell membrane protein aquaporin 1 (AQP1). However, the mechanisms underlying the increased AQP1 abundance have not been fully elucidated. Here we present data that establishes a novel interaction between AQP1 and the proteolytic enzyme caspase-3. In silico analysis of the AQP1 protein reveals two caspase-3 cleavage sites on its C-terminal tail, proximal to known ubiquitin sites. Using biotin proximity ligase techniques, we establish that AQP1 and caspase-3 interact in both human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293A cells and rat PASMCs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that AQP1 levels increase and decrease with enhanced caspase-3 activity and inhibition, respectively. Ultimately, further work characterizing this interaction could provide the foundation for novel PH therapeutics.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) are integral to pulmonary vascular remodeling, a characteristic of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PASMCs isolated from robust animal models of disease demonstrate enhanced proliferation and migration, pathological functions associated with increased abundance of the membrane protein aquaporin 1 (AQP1). We present evidence of a novel interaction between the proteolytic enzyme caspase-3 and AQP1, which may control AQP1 abundance. These data suggest a potential new target for novel PAH therapies.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Arteria Pulmonar
/
Miocitos del Músculo Liso
/
Acuaporina 1
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Caspasa 3
/
Músculo Liso Vascular
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
FISIOLOGIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos